Shouldered ramp for streetwork cover and method of use

ABSTRACT

A road plate ramp strip has a ramp portion and a shoulder portion, preferably integral to one another, such as by integral casting or molding. The ramp strip preferably has a plurality of traction enhancing variations in an upper surface of the ramp, such as buttons grooves, dimples, holes or the like. As an environmental enhancement and to reduce costs, the ramp strip preferably has a constituent composition of a substantial admixture of post-consumer vehicular tire rubber. The ramp strip preferably has a spring lip extending from an upper portion of the ramp portion out over the shoulder portion and downward toward it at an angle α. The lip is preferably integral to the ramp portion and depends from an upper portion of the ramp out over the shoulder. There is also a method of covering an excavated work place or other surface irregularity with one or more cover plates and ramp strips.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/277,797 filed Mar. 21, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to methods and devices for temporary coverage of road and streetwork excavations; more particularly it relates to a shouldered ramp for streetwork cover and method of excavation coverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Road and street excavations are a common sight; such work is usually the result of needed access to buried utilities or actual repair or new construction of road and street surfaces. So that drivers are minimally impacted by the work, and also for safety and so that material in the excavation is not unreasonably exposed to the elements or to risks of theft or mischief, such excavations are usually required to be covered when work is not actually taking place, and the covers, at least in most parts of the United States are typically plate steel, anywhere from {fraction (3/4)} inch to 1½ inches in thickness.

[0004] Laying such thick and potentially sharp-edged plates over excavation work generally accomplishes the cruder goals outlined above, but introduces a new problem, which as yet has not been satisfactorily addressed.

[0005] As vehicles approach, and then ride over, the plate, the vehicle wheels are compelled to jump, anywhere from a hardly noticeable distance in a shock insulated suspension system, to a severe and unpleasant jolt in a hard suspension system. In addition, undesirable and potentially dangerous impact momentum is imparted to the plate by each wheel impact, the cumulative effect of which may be to move the heavy plate and cause exposure of the work site and/or danger of collapse of the plate, fully or partially, into the excavation, perhaps upon a very next vehicle wheel impact. In addition, each impact is part of a cumulative road hazard effect on the performance and longevity of the vehicle tire and of the vehicle suspension as well. All of this makes a large cumulative impact on the cost of vehicle driving, road maintenance, and quality of life for drivers in general.

[0006] To address this problem, the plate is typically lowered into place at the end of the work day to cover the excavation, and then hot asphalt, “cold mix” or the like is manually shoveled and tamped into place around the plate to seal the excavation environmentally, and to provide a berm or ramp to lessen or eliminate the impact of vehicle wheel on plate and vice versa. Every morning, the asphalt is chipped away and the plate removed, and at the end of the day the process is repeated. This less than satisfactory solution is time consuming and expensive and also results in environmentally unfriendly and unsightly litter, and typically the ad hoc “ramp” thus formed fails to function effectively as a ramp at all, it being felt as just another bump.

[0007] What is needed is a method of covering such excavations and/or a device that will not be expensive to put into place, that is reusable and environmentally friendly, that leaves no residue or litter, and that lessens or eliminates the impact of vehicle on plate and vice versa.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The disclosed device and methods address and provide such a system. The device is a shouldered ramp, preferably made of a dense rubber, a rubber preferably composited of significant parts of recycled vehicle tire rubber.

[0009] The disclosed road plate ramp is a rubber product which preferably clips onto a steel road plate, thereby providing a quick, safe, and reliable transition from the road surface onto and off of the plate. Contractor costs are substantially decreased by eliminating the need to apply cold mix to the edge of the steel road plates and remove it on a daily basis, as is presently the conventional practice. The objective is to decrease contractor costs by eliminating the need to apply cold mix to road plates every evening and to remove the cold mix every morning. A road plate ramp such as disclosed herein can pay for itself in two weeks or so of use. Ramp strips come in 4 foot and other convenient lengths. Shorter lengths, outside corners, and inside corners can all be cut from stock lengths or prefabricated.

[0010] In cross section the device has generally the profile illustrated in FIG. 1 or 3, and includes a ramp portion and a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion serves generally as a seat or bed or receptacle for the steel cover plate, and the ramp allows a vehicle wheel to ride gradually up to the level of the top of the plate in a relatively smooth, non-jarring manner. A road plate ramp strip for engaging a workplace cover plate, or road plate, has a ramp portion and a shoulder portion, preferably integral to one another, such as by integral casting or molding. Ramp and shoulder may advantageously also be separately fashioned and then permanently fastened to one another. When the ramp strip and cover plates are interengaged, the shoulder is disposed under a portion of the edge of the plate, and the ramp leads from the road surface to the top plate surface. Each strip has a relatively flat shoulder portion and a triangular or wedge cross-sectioned ramp portion.

[0011] The ramp strip preferably has one or more of a number of various traction enhancements over some or all of the upper surface of the ramp, such as buttons grooves, dimples, holes or the like. As an environmental enhancement and to potentially reduce costs, the ramp strip preferably has a constituent composition of a substantial admixture of ground or shredded post-consumer vehicular tire rubber.

[0012] A preferred ramp strip preferably has a spring lip extending, and preferably curving, from an upper portion of the ramp portion out over the shoulder portion and downward toward it at an angle α. Angle α is typically measured as an angle tangent to a midpoint of the curving lip and is preferably between 1-45 degrees down from a horizontal line projected parallel to an upper surface of the shoulder portion. Where the lip is relatively straight, angle α is just the angle of the straight lip. The lip is preferably integral to the ramp portion and depends from an upper portion of the ramp out over the shoulder. The negative (down) angle serves to provide frictional resistance to a plate sliding into, or out of, the space between the lip and the shoulder. The frictional resistance is believed to be enhanced to the extent that upward displacement of the lip by the entering plate stores a potential energy or spring force in the lip, as the lip is forced or distended upwardly away from the shoulder, which enhances the grip of the lip on the plate. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other spring loaded, or spring-like, devices or appendages may well be substituted for the disclosed spring lip without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0013] There is also a method of covering an excavated work place or other surface irregularity with one or more cover plates. The method has the following steps:

[0014] a) determining a suitable workplace cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size (i.e. it may be determined optimally that an excavation or workplace is best covered by more than one plate, or plates of different sizes and shapes, all of which together make up the work place cover);

[0015] b) laying one or more lipless ramp strips about the periphery of the workplace cover so as to form a bed or seat comprised of the totality of the shoulder portions of the ramp strips; where the shoulder portions have all been positioned to substantially the same dimensions as all or a portion of the outer periphery of the workplace cover;

[0016] c) lowering into the (combined) bed or seat formed thereby the selected cover plate(s), thus covering the workplace.

[0017] In this method, daily removal and reuse of the cover materials generally follows a reverse course of raising the cover plate(s) that are in place over the excavation, and storing them in a suitable location for later replacement at the end of the day or transport at the end of the job. Optionally, the strips may be removed and stored during the workday as well, but it is envisioned that, work requirements permitting, leaving the strips or most of them in place will effect a labor savings.

[0018] An alternate method for the preferred ramp strip with lip is:

[0019] a) determining a suitable workplace cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size;

[0020] b) effecting a gripping engagement of one or more ramp strips, along one or more edges of a cover plate, each strip having a spring lip depending from the ramp portion and springingly engaged with the plate to grip the plate and hold the strip in place on the plate;

[0021] c) lowering the selected cover plate(s) with attached ramp strips over the workplace.

[0022] There is also a workplace cover kit that has plurality of ramp strips to engage along two or more edges of a cover plate. It optionally has instructions for use of the kit along the following lines:

[0023] a) determine a suitable cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size;

[0024] b) engage along one or more edges of the cover plate one or more ramp strips;

[0025] c) lower the selected cover plate(s) over the workplace.

[0026] In the kit the ramp strips advantageously engage along substantially all of two or more edges of a cover plate. The ramp strips are optimally provided in standard lengths such as 4 feet, 8 feet and 16 feet, but any suitable length may be selected as a standard length. Alternatively, the ramp strips are provided in a single stock length and are cut on site to fit a selected cover plate.

[0027] In use, one or more lengths of the ramp strip (see FIG. 2) are laid in place generally around the perimeter of the excavation. Optionally, sufficient lengths of device material are laid around the perimeter in a frame having a shoulder or bed shape approximating the shape and size of the cover plate(s) to be laid over the excavation.

[0028] In any case, when the desired number or amount of ramp strips are laid, and optionally anchored to the pavement via pavement attachment devices engaged for such purposes through the optional apertures provided as attachment points, the cover is laid onto the shoulder(s) of the ramp strip(s) and seated thereon or therein. This seating acts to weight and hold down the ramp strip(s) generally, and also to cushion the cover plate somewhat and act also as an optional sound dampening or deadening medium to reduce or eliminate the accompanying clanking sounds of using such covers. With the ramp strips held in place by the weight of the plate, and optionally by supplemental anchors, vehicles are enabled to approach the cover plate, ride up the short ramp and onto the plate, and off the plate on the other side without substantially dislodging any ramp from its proximity to the edge of the cover plate either on the wheel approach to the plate top or the wheel take off on the other side, thereby imparting little or no appreciable impact to the plate.

[0029] A method of effecting a removable and reusable work site excavation cover includes some or all of the following steps: determining a suitable cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size; laying one or more rubber strips each having a relatively flat shoulder portion and a triangular or wedge cross-sectioned ramp portion (preferably integrally cast or otherwise permanently joined to one another) about the periphery of the cover size so as to form a bed or seat comprised of the combined shoulder portions of the ramp strips; lowering into the bed or seat formed thereby the selected cover plate(s) to complete the excavation cover closure. Removal and reuse of the cover materials generally follows a reverse course, or as follows: raise the cover plate(s) that are in place and store in suitable location for later replacement or transport. At this point in the method, the excavation is ready for a day's work. and the installation procedure at day's end is simply to replace the plate(s). Optionally every day, or at the end of the job, remove (first pulling up optional anchors) the ramp strip(s) and store them in suitable location for later replacement or for transport to new job. This method leaves little if any debris, either during work or afterwards, and effects a great savings in time and money overall.

[0030] It is believed that the conventional process of asphalting the edges of the plate does not provide the sort of smooth upward ride to the plate top provided by the disclosed device. In addition, on take off, the vehicle wheel inevitably imparts some shearing impact to the rib of asphalt on the far side, hastening the asphalt physical degradation and eventual crumbing. This degradation and crumbing effect is also believed to be caused or enhanced by unavoidable flexure and/or vibration of the metal plate as vehicles drive over it. This shearing impact and also the flexure and vibrations of the steel plate have no substantial effect on the disclosed device or its efficacy over the useful life of the device, which is expected to span many installations and removals of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the apparatus as installed in the disclosed method or system.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus illustrating alternate engagement with the cover plate in the disclosed method or system.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a further alternate embodiment of the apparatus.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the disclosed kit.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a partial side sectional view of the apparatus in the disclosed method or system.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a partial side sectional view of an alternate apparatus in the disclosed method or system.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0039] Turning now to the drawings, the invention will be described in a preferred embodiment by reference to the numerals of the drawing figures wherein like numbers indicate like parts.

[0040]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of ramp strip 10 with plate 100 lowered in direction of arrow d down onto shoulder (or bed) 11 of strip 10.

[0041]FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of ramp strip 10 (without plate 100), illustrating preferred layout of shoulder 11 and ramp 12. Optional anchor apertures 13 and optional traction features such as grooves 14 and holes or dimples 15 are shown.

[0042]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an preferred embodiment of ramp strip 10 where ramp 12 has preferred traction features in the form of raised buttons 16 and a depending spring lip 20 depending toward shoulder 11 at angle α. Ramp strip 10 is moved into engagement with plate 100 in the direction of arrow b. In effecting the engagement, lip 20 is generally displaced and forced upwardly from its resting or unsprung position so that it tends to press downwardly on the upper edge of plate 100 to form a frictional grip-like engagement with plate 100, gripping plate 100 in the space between shoulder 11 and lip 20.

[0043]FIG. 5 shows an alternate spring lip 20′ that is straight, rather than curved as shown in FIG. 3, that depends downwardly at angle α.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a plan view of kit 200. The several ramp strips 10 of kit 200′ are either attached, or about to be attached in the direction of arrow b, to plate 100. Hidden lines illustrate the overlap of spring lip 20 hanging over bed 11, and further show bed 11 moving into engaged position under plate 100.

[0045]FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial side sectional views of alternate methods of covering work excavations 150 or other irregularities with kits 200 or 200′. In FIG. 7, ramp strips 10 in kit 200 are first laid down on a calculated periphery of the excavation based upon the selected size of selected cover plate(s). Plate 100 is then lowered in direction of arrow d onto the shoulder or bed 11 portions of strips 10 to seal the work and provide ramped access up and over plate 100. Work may readily be recommenced by simply lifting plate 100 upward in direction of arrow u off the bed(s) 11. Strips 10 may also optionally be lifted prior to commencing work as well, but may just as well be left in position, work permitting. The strips are optionally anchored with conventional bolt or pin type anchors fitted through apertures 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0046] In FIG. 8, ramp strips 10 in kit 200′ are first engaged onto selected, if not all, edges of plate 100. The assembled plate and strips are then lowered over work 150 in the direction of arrow d to cover the work. As in FIG. 7, the work is uncovered by lifting the assembly up in the direction of arrow u.

[0047] Alternate embodiments (not shown) of the disclosed device include a completely molded frame, already assembled or cast or molded as a frame unit, or a set of ramp strip lengths that include molded corner pieces, with optionally beveled ramp corners. At the work site a frame is then constructed in situ that includes ramp strip lengths and corner pieces. The frame, and optionally the ramp strip lengths themselves, may either be created to various standard lengths suitable for an anticipated range of sizes of cover plates, or may be produced in fixed lengths for ease of production and then cut to size on the job site. Likewise, shoulder depth of the ramp strips (the distance from the top of the ramp to the shoulder or shoulder bed of the ramp strip—see FIG. 1) may advantageously be varied in production to suit varying anticipated thicknesses of plates, or may be produced in a limited number of standard depths which may then be shimmed with additional flat rubber shim strips (not shown) when a thinner plate is to be used.

[0048] Ramps may advantageously be about 4-6 inches or so in length with the ramp rising to a height of 1⅛ to 1½ inches at the top of the ramp for a ramp strip having a nominal 1 inch (for instance) shoulder depth, depending on whether the shoulder thickness is set to {fraction (1/8)} or {fraction (1/4)} or {fraction (3/8)} inch or somewhere in between, respectively. It is believed a shoulder thickness of as little as {fraction (1/8)} inch should suffice for material strength and sound and vibration and shock deadening purposes, while providing sufficient mechanical attachment integrity of the shoulder portion to the ramp portion to prevent premature separation of ramp and shoulder, but shoulder thicknesses of {fraction (1/4)} to {fraction (3/8)} inch are expected to have additional utility as well. Ramp length (from road to plate top) may also advantageously be about 3-8 inches or so. Shoulder width is preferably 4 inches or so, and may advantageously be about 2½-6 inches. Each strip on its ramp surface may have optional traction enhancements such as molded in ribs or buttons or grooves or holes or depressions (see FIG. 2). Some portion of the underside of the ramp portion of the ramp strip may be hollow or hollowed to effect weight reduction and/or material savings, consistent with durability and ramp strength requirements.

[0049] An alternate embodiment of the disclosed system is anticipated to be advantageous for manhole covers and the like utility entrances. Such covers in conventional installations have many of the vibration and noise problems outlined above, with the added disadvantage that such installations are generally intended to be permanent, and therefore produce environmentally unacceptable levels of noise in perpetuity. It is anticipated that a series or set of ramp strips or a prefabricated frame of the like described above, but sized for the shape and size of the utility entrance, will provide a noise deadening, yet durable, relatively permanent seat for the cover, that is nevertheless readily and inexpensively replaceable at the end of its duty cycle.

[0050] The rubber for ramp strip 10 is advantageously the same kind as used in tire making and like applications; and typical specifications are: ASTM PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Preferred D2240 Hardness, Durometer +/− 5 Maximum 80 82 D412 Tensil Strength, Psi, Minimum 1200 1421 D412 Elongation at Break, % Minimum 200 270 D573 OVEN AGED-70 hours @ 212 F. Hardness, Durometer Change Maximum +10 3 Tensile, % Change Maximum −15 −6 Elongation, % Change Maximum −15 −7 D624 TEAR RESISTANCE Minimum pounds per inch 100 129 D395 COMPRESSION SET Method B, 22 hours @ 212 F. % Maximum 35 26

[0051] With regard to systems and components above referred to, but not otherwise specified or described in detail herein, the workings and specifications of such systems and components and the manner in which they may be made or assembled or used, both cooperatively with each other and with the other elements of the invention described herein to effect the purposes herein disclosed, are all believed to be well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. No concerted attempt to repeat here what is generally known to the artisan has therefore been made.

[0052] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

We claim:
 1. A road plate ramp strip comprising a ramp portion and a shoulder portion.
 2. The ramp strip of claim 1, wherein the ramp portion and the shoulder portion are integral to one another [describe in terms of their connection or integral casting, vs disconnected alternatives, or parts fastened together]
 3. The ramp strip of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of traction enhancing variations in an upper surface of the ramp.
 4. The ramp strip of claim 3, wherein the traction enhancing variations in the upper surface of the ramp are buttons [grooves, dimples, holes etc].
 5. The ramp strip of claim 1, wherein a constituent composition of the ramp strip comprises a substantial admixture of post-consumer vehicular timer rubber.
 6. The ramp strip of claim 1, further comprising a spring lip extending from an upper portion of the ramp portion out over the shoulder portion and downward toward it at an angle α.
 7. The ramp strip of claim 6, wherein the spring lip is curved downward and angle α is an angle tangent to a midpoint of the curve.
 8. The ramp strip of claim 6, wherein angle α is an angle between 1-45 degrees from a horizontal line projected parallel to an upper surface of the shoulder portion.
 9. The ramp strip of claim 1, wherein the ramp portion and the shoulder portion are integral to one another, the ramp strip further comprising a spring lip extending from an upper portion of the ramp portion out over the shoulder portion and downward toward it at an angle α, angle α being between 1-45 degrees from a horizontal line projected parallel to an upper surface of the shoulder portion, wherein the spring lip is curved downward and angle α is an angle tangent to a midpoint of the downward curve of the lip
 10. A method of covering an excavated work place or other surface irregularity with one or more cover plates, method comprising the steps of: a) determining a suitable cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size; b) laying one or more ramp strips, each strip having a relatively flat shoulder portion and a triangular or wedge cross-sectioned ramp portion, about the periphery of the cover size so as to form a bed or seat comprised of the combined shoulder portions of the ramp strips; c) lowering into the bed or seat formed thereby the selected cover plate(s).
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein removal and reuse of the cover materials generally follows a reverse course, as follows: raise the cover plate(s) that are in place over the excavation, and store in suitable location for later replacement or transport.
 12. A method of covering an excavated work place or other surface irregularity with one or more cover plates, method comprising the steps of: a) determining a suitable cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size; b) engaging along one or more edges of a cover plate one or more ramp strips, each strip having a relatively flat shoulder portion and a triangular or wedge cross-sectioned ramp portion, with a spring lip depending from the ramp portion and springingly engaged with the plate to hold the strip in place; c) lowering the selected cover plate(s) over the workplace.
 13. A workplace cover kit, the kit comprising a plurality of ramp strips to engage along two or more edges of a cover plate.
 14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising instructions as follows: a) determine a suitable cover size and an optimal position and arrangement of cover plate(s) to effect the desired cover size; b) engage along one or more edges of the cover plate one or more ramp strips; c) lower the selected cover plate(s) over the workplace.
 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the ramp strips engage along substantially all of two or more edges of a cover plate.
 16. The kit of claim 13, wherein the ramp strips are provided in standard lengths selected from one or more of the group of lengths consisting of 4 feet, 8 feet and 16 feet.
 17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the ramp strips are provided in a single standard length and are cut to fit a selected cover plate. 